Jesus, the Master Catechist: Twelve Lessons from Jesus on Being a Catechist

By Bill Huebsch

Catechists learn best by watching others-master catechists. And there is no better Master Catechist than Jesus himself. This engaging and informative guide examines how we can become better catechists by following Jesus' example. Taking lessons from Pope Francis' The Joy of the Gospel, The General Directory for Catechesis, and the gospels themselve

• Language: English
• Publisher: Twenty-Third Publications/Bayard
• Release date: Mar 27, 2015
• ISBN: 9781627850971

Bill Huebsch

Bill Huebsch is an author, theologian, former director of religious education, farmer, and long-time Catholic publishing professional. He is founder of PastoralPlanning.com and past president of Twenty-Third Publications. Huebsch writes and teaches extensively on the catechetical mission of the Church and on the importance of continuing to implement the vision of the Second Vatican Council.

Book preview

Master catechist Bill Huebsch uncovers the heart of catechesis in twelve simple and powerful lessons. His clear writing invites the reader to ponder deeply the example of the Master. His gentle encouragement and practical learning process inspire confidence in even the most timid among us. If you are a catechist of any stripe, this book will change your ministry.

Nick Wagner

Director and cofounder of TeamRCIA.com

As we reflect on our ministry as catechists, what could be better sources than the gospel witness of Jesus, the challenge of the GDC, and the vision of The Joy of the Gospel? Well, how about having all three woven together splendidly with the profound and practical insights of Bill Huebsch as he encourages us to know and follow Jesus, the master catechist? This book will support, nurture, and energize us, grounding us in the call and promise of our graced ministry.

Janet Schaeffler, OP

Author, Adult Faith Formation and Retreat Facilitator

A magnificent book, abounding with profound spiritual wisdom presented in twelve creative lessons from Jesus, our master catechist. This wonderful resource offers exceptional guidance for those entrusted with responsibility for catechetical ministry.  This is a book we all must read, reflect upon, and integrate.

Edith Prendergast, RSC

Director, Religious Education, Archdiocese of Los Angeles

In his easy, companionable style, Bill Huebsch offers catechists a short master course on the heart of catechesis. He embodies what he teaches. Like Jesus, he offers himself as a companion on our journey, passionate about the message he has received and eager to share it with us. This book refocuses us on our most important task—to proclaim and witness to the joy of the gospel by walking with our learners on a mutual journey of faith.

Jo Rotunno

Former Publisher for RCL-Benziger

In this book, Bill Huebsch invites veteran and novice catechists alike to courageously approach their craft. With the accessibility we have come to expect from him, he invites us to get up close and personal with Jesus, the master catechist, and to open ourselves to the transforming grace of God unfolding in our ministry. Huebsch reminds us that as we open our hearts to the possibilities God offers, we tap into the wellsprings of joy that are so characteristic of the true catechist.

Fr David Loftus

Pastor for Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Northridge, CA

Bill Huebsch again demonstrates his unique ability to get quickly and simply to the heart of the most complex matters. In this clear volume, he quickly gathers his readers at the feet of Jesus, the master catechist, and lets the gospel and the church remind catechists old and new that their only job is to lead learners to Christ. This inspiring book is a must for everyone called to be a catechist.

Cullen Schippe

President and publisher, Pflaum Publishing Group

Title Page: The Essential Catechist's Bookshelf: Jesus The Master Catechist, Twelve Lessons from Jesus on Being a Catechist, By Bill Huebsch, Published by Twenty-Third Publications

Acknowledgments

The GDC in Plain English. St Paul, MN: PastoralPlanning.com, 2013. Available in PDF only.

Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America.

The material from Pope Francis and The Joy of the Gospel is summarized here unless it appears in quotation marks.

Twenty-Third Publications

1 Montauk Avenue, Suite 200, New London, CT 06320

[phone]  »  [phone]  »  www.23rdpublications.com

© Copyright 2015 Bill Huebsch. All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced in any manner without prior written permission of the publisher. Write to the Permissions Editor.

ISBN: 978-1-62785-062-9

Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 2014955409

Contents

Endorsements

Title Page

Acknowledgments

Copyright

Introduction

1  Jesus is the master catechist

2  We prepare our students as a farmer prepares the soil

3  It takes courage to seek out Jesus and trust him

Prayerful pause: Prepare your heart to teach

4  Faith provides us with spiritual knowledge

5  Jesus offers healing and love to all

6  We accompany our students on a journey of faith

Prayerful pause: Pray for your students

7  Jesus teaches us to be servant-catechists

8  Our goal is to help our students meet Jesus

9  Grace flows only from God’s generous heart

Prayerful pause: Listen as you prepare your lesson

10  Jesus teaches us to announce his love and forgiveness

11  Faith is our response to the announcement of God’s love

12  Listening to our students opens the door of faith

Prayerful pause: Begin and end in prayer

Study Guide for Group Use

Other Titles in This Series

About the Author

About the Publisher

Introduction

Every catechist needs to learn from a good catechist, one of my theology professors once told us. We learn how to provide faith formation or catechesis by watching others. We see them guiding their students, forming and shaping their message, and allowing their own faith to be evident—and we absorb what we see and hear. We listen as they address their students with love and care. We learn how to turn our own skills for teaching into the art of catechesis.

Those experienced catechists who are given the task of guiding and showing others the way are usually called master catechists. They’ve often given many years to this ministry and have become models for us all.

Well, there is no better master catechist than Jesus himself. In this book, we will examine how we can become better catechists ourselves by following his example. We’ll learn to allow people to gather around us, we’ll learn to speak clearly of the Father’s love, and we’ll learn to extend the endless forgiveness of God to our students. We’ll learn to pray for our students, to lead them to the brink of the paschal mystery, and to trust in divine grace for the rest.

What we will treat in this book is based on three major sources. First, we will turn at length to the gospel accounts of Jesus, the master catechist and teacher. In the gospels, we learn very specific lessons on what it means to pass on the faith from one person to another—lessons from Jesus on being a catechist. Second, we will learn from articles 160-173 of The Joy of the Gospel by Pope Francis. This section of the pope’s document is directed to us as catechists and teachers. Finally, we will draw heavily from The General Directory for Catechesis in Plain English (the GDC,